, 1887-09-18
CLOSING EXERCISES.
The Last Day of the Centennial
Celebration.
The Festivities Ended With a
Grand Banquet.
Accident on the Atlantic and
Pacific Railroad.
Last Day of the Celebration.

Ia oSPbs IIOIn 8
O'Clock this morning until half. past 10
President Cleveland stood in the commits
sioners' room in the east wing OF the city
hall and shook the bands of young and
old, rich and poor, as they passed in a
continuous procession before him. Sta.
TONED Immediately behind him we're SEQ
re aries Bsyard and Fairchild. The
approaches to the buildings were densely
packed with people, some of whom had
been on the ground since before daylight.
AS there were fully 10000 people
in the nelghborhood, it is safe to say that
not one-third of them had succeeded in
greeting the president when the time had
arrived for him to take his carriage to the
memorial meeting at Independence
square.
1t was a typical September morning
clear, cold and bright, and the streets
throughout the city were throngcd with
people of all nations and color 10 celebrate
the last day of the centennial. On the
stand in Independence square there we're
represented every branch of life which
goes to make up a nation. Side by side
with the chief magistrate, we're high
ecclesiastical representatives, justices OF
the highest law tribunal, ministers extra
ordinary of foreign powers, the nations
lawmakers and representative of the
army and navy. The stand in Indepen-
dence square in the real of the old his
torical hall, had a seating capacity of
about 10000 and had been filled for
hours.
At the front of the stand facing south
an Enclosure was rallied off for the presi-
dent and his party, the speakers and
Others. Here was suspended SO as to be
In full view a Photographic copy OF the
original constitution. At the east side of
the stand stood a quaint old high backed
chair occupied by George Washington as
presiding officer of the congress which
adopted that honored and ~yenerated doc
ument Suspended from the back of the
chair was another copy of the nations
charter. At each side of the center of
the stand stood two hagstaffs, the colors
on each being raised in honor of the army
and navy respectively as they came up 10
the stand. AT the eastern side of the
structure sat the Marine band, who for
halt an hour before the exercises com
menced, discoursed music such as only
that famous band could render. The
chorus OF 1000 children with 200 men as
leading voices sang a patriotic air which
brought them rounds of applause.
The appearance of the president and
his wife at the head of a double column
OF distinguished visitors created a perfect
uproar OF applause. As they came down
the centre aisle toward the places in front,
the president leaned or the arm of ex-
Minister kasson, and directly behind
them came Mrs. Cleveland, leaning on
the arm of Thomas NJ. Thompson, chair
man OF the committee on reception of
distinguished guests. Next came Secre-
tary Bayard, Daniel Lamont and wife,
and Secretary Fairchild. After the presi-
lent and Mrs. Cleveland reached the
stand a general ~handshaking with those
whom they recognized or were recognized
by took place, after which, in response to
the tumultuous applause, they walked
side by side to the front railing of the
structure and bowed their acknowledge
ment of the compliment paid them. 1t
seemed as though the cheering would
never die out.
After the thousands of threats were
yelled hoarse, Bishop Potter arose, and
being followed by all of those who occu-
pied the reserved space, with uncovered
heads, made the opening prayer. Just
after the bishop had concluded his prayer.
Gen. Sheridan, with his aides, followed
closely by Cardinal Gibbons, Archbishop
Ryan and a number of Catholic clergy,
marched dow the aisle and were cheered
TO the echo.
When they had been seated Hon. John
A. kasson, as president OF the constltu.
tional centennial commission, arose to
make the Introductory address of the day.
There was great applause as Mr.. Kasson
began with the words, The one object
of this celebration has been to demonstrate
and quicken the reverence and love of the
American people OF all orders for their
national constitution. He %eloquently
welcomed President Cleveland and the
vast assemblage of notables, American
and foreign, concluding with the invoca
ton, May the dawn of the second cen,
centennial year be celebrated with
increased %fervor, and our union gain
strength as the centuries roll on. For
ever live the constitution ami the union.
Mrs. Cleveland sat almost in front of
the speakers rostrum and Was the cynos-
ure OF all ewes. She was handsomely at
tired in a close fitting dress of cream and
brown colored PLAID silk and wore a
stylish bonnet of drab color with ribbon
trimmings Cardinal Gibbons. wearing
the cardinal colors of his exalted office,
sat at the side of the speakers and was
one of the most attentive listeners Of the
entire a~ssemblage. At the the conclusion
of Kasson's address the chorus sang
Appeal to Truth with beautiful effect
and then Mr.. Kasson escorted the presi.
dent to the speakers rostrum and he
commenced a ten minutes address, which
was received with thunderous applause.
His enunciation was clear and perfect and
his voice rang out audibly TO the listening
thousands.
The president told of the honor and
pleasure it was 10 participate in the cxer
els %, and paid a glowing tribute to the
dignity of American citizenship. In con.
Guiding he said las we look down the
past century to the origin Of our constitu.
tion-as we contemplate its trials and
triumphs, as we realize how completely
the principles upon which it is based have
met every national peril and every ma
tional need, how devoutly should we
confess with Franklin, God governs in
the affairs of men, and how solemn
should be the reflection that to our hands
Is committed the ark of the